"Helppp!"

"Helpppp!"

"The monsters! They’re everywhere!"

The loud shouts came from the deeper parts of the forest. At the sudden shouts, the nobles who were already gathered panicked. Some clutched their reins tightly, while others turned their horses around without thinking.

Fear spread among them. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"What is happening?"

"Are they really monsters?"

"Where are the knights?"

Before anyone could calmly answer, several royal knights had already rushed past them. They unsheathed their swords. Some stayed to protect the nobles, while half of them headed toward the source of the screams.

"Listen here, everyone!" A moment later, a male instructor appeared. He raised his hand and waved it to everyone.

"Everyone, please settle down!" he continued to answer. "Return to your camp immediately! Stay together and do not wander off! The knights are stationed everywhere, don’t be scared!"

The nobles quickly nodded at that. They didn’t want to argue because they knew the severity of the situation.

"Yes. Let us go back."

"We’ll be safer in the camp."

"Come on, guys!"

They began to turn their horses in the camp’s direction, trying to regroup. However, before they could even move, two figures leaped from the trees at full speed.

"Ahhhh!"

"Wolvess!"

They were wolves, but not normal ones.

Their bodies were far larger than any wolf Lionel had ever seen. Their fur was dark and patchy, with parts missing in some places, revealing gray flesh underneath. Long black drool dripped from their mouths, and their eyes glowed red.

One of the wolves let out a broken howl, showing its long and sharp teeth.

"Ahhhh Monsters!!!" someone shrieked.

Because of it, the nobles immediately panicked. They screamed and ran away. Their horses were also scared, with some rearing back. One noble fell to the ground, only to quickly run away in panic.

"Shit..." The instructors could only curse out loud.

"Protect the nobles!"

"Knights, move now!"

The two wolves charged straight toward the group, their claws tearing into the dirt as they ran at full speed.

Lionel’s heart pounded at that.

So this is how it starts? He thought.

"By the gods..." Rufus whispered to the side.

Royal knights quickly ran towards the wolves. Their armors gleamed as they drew their swords and raised their shields.

"All nobles, fall back!" one of them shouted. "Go behind us now!"

The knights moved with speed. They placed themselves between the monsters and the nobles.

But something was wrong...

The two wolves did not crash into the knights as everyone expected. Instead, after getting near, they slowed down. Their claws scraped against the ground as they came to a halt just a few meters away from the line of knights.

The knights frowned at the action.

"Huh?"

"Why did they stop?"

The wolves only stared at them; their heads were low, and their red eyes locked onto the group. Lionel narrowed his eyes. Just then, he realized what was happening.

They are waiting, aren’t they?

A cold feeling crept up his spine.

"Th—" Before he could even say anything, two wolves appeared suddenly behind the tress again... then another.

Gasps spread through the nobles.

"Oh noo..."

"There’s more."

These three wolves were just as large. Their fur was also torn and stained with blood. One of them was even dragging a limp leg, but it still looked as strong.

"We’re doomed."

Panic returned stronger than before. Some nobles cried openly, while others clutched their weapons with trembling hands.

"Lionel... this isn’t normal, is it?" Rufus swallowed hard.

"Yeah..." Lionel muttered in a low voice.

This is worse than I remember.

One of the wolves lifted its head and let out a low growl.

"Brace yourselves!" a knight shouted in panic.

The moment the words left the knight’s mouth, the wolves burst forward.

The ground shook as they ran. Dirt flew under their claws. Their growls were low and rough, like they were threatening everyone who came their way.

"Hold the line!" another knight yelled out loud.

One wolf lunged first. It leaped far higher than a normal wolf could ever. A knight raised his shield just in time. The impact slammed him backward, making him crash into another knight.

"Argh!" Both knights fell hard to the ground.

The wolf did not stop there. It twisted in the air and snapped its jaws, its teeth scraping against the metal shields of the knights. Black saliva splattered across the shield.

"Stab it!" someone screamed.

A sword plunged into the wolf’s side. However, instead of collapsing, the beast only let out a sharp howl and twisted its body. Its claws slashed across the knight’s arm. Blood rushed out of the arm as the knight cried out in pain.

"What kind of monster is this?" a noble shouted from behind.

Another wolf charged straight into the line. It slammed its body into a shield, deforming it. The knight holding it was thrown off his feet and dragged across the ground. The wolf bit down on his leg and shook its head violently.

"Nooo!"

Two knights rushed forward. One stabbed down a wolf, the blade sinking into the wolf’s neck. The other swung his sword and cut deep across its face. The wolf finally released its grip and staggered back, snarling.

But even with the wounds, it was still standing.

This is bad... Lionel thought.

"Rufus, stay behind me," Lionel said quickly.

"Don’t worry," Rufus looked at him and nodded. He was already holding his sword. "I can help."

"Good."

More screams filled the air. Horses neighed wildly. Some broke free and ran into the forest, dragging their reins behind them. A noble tripped and fell, crawling on the ground as a wolf rushed past him.

"Protect the noble!" an instructor shouted.

Another wolf came from the side. It jumped onto a knight’s back, knocking him down. Its teeth sank into his shoulder. The knight screamed as blood soaked into his armor.

"Get it off him!"

A spear pierced through the wolf’s side. The beast howled and thrashed, dragging the spear and the knight holding it. It crashed into a tree, snapping the spear in half. Even then, it did not fall.

Lionel swallowed hard. He and a few other nobles were getting closely protected by the knights. But he knew it wasn’t enough.

And as if proving his words, the wounded wolf, which was dragging its limp leg, suddenly rushed forward to them. It ignored the knights and went straight for the nobles.

"Ahhhh! It’s coming to us!" someone screamed.

The nobles quickly pulled their bows and arrows. They tried to shoot the wolf, but their trembling hands failed to do so. When he saw that nothing could be done, Lionel pulled the reins of his horse and kicked it forward.

"I don’t have any choice..." he whispered to himself as he drew his sword.